NACDS, NCPA offer suggestions to DEA on drug take-back programs

By Alaric DeArment

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed support for a rule the DEA proposed in December to govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants - including pharmacies - and patients, as well as people acting on their behalf.

At the same time, the NACDS cited concerns about the manner in which disposal of drugs can be carried out, specifically regarding what it called an undue burden on community pharmacies to track the unique identification numbers on packages used in mail-back programs.

"We share DEA's goal of working towards a safe and appropriate lawful means for consumers to return their unused medications to authorized entities for destruction," an NACDS statement read.

The group also stressed the importance of ensuring that the requirements for maintaining collection receptacles in community pharmacies are easy for the pharmacy to administer and aligned with other laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, the National Community Pharmacists Association, which lobbies on behalf of independent pharmacies, recommended allowing independents to include controlled substances in medication take-back programs, noting that about 1,600 independent community pharmacies voluntarily participate in the Dispose My Meds program, but are legally prohibited from accepting controlled substances, such as opioid painkillers.

The NCPA also suggested that the DEA clarify that retail pharmacies can use their contracted reverse distributors to collect controlled substances for disposal from long-term care centers; reconsider proposed requirements for collection receptacles and pharmacy employees that are impractical and may negatively affect pharmacy workflow; and work with long-term care centers to develop disposal standards to accommodate them.